International aid from official donors dropped by 7.1% in real terms in 2024, marking the first decline after five years of consecutive growth, according to preliminary data from the OECD.

Global food systems face a financing crisis, with an annual shortfall of up to $400 billion needed for transformation. Meanwhile, the hidden costs of food production—ranging from environmental damage to health impacts—amount to US$12 trillion each year. As donor priorities shift, can development aid be reimagined to build resilient, sustainable food systems? This article explores the path forward for development communities across the world.

The 2025 Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit (27-28 March) comes at a critical time, with malnutrition still affecting millions and food systems under strain. This briefing paper outlines the challenges and opportunities of financing food systems for nutrition, along with policy recommendations for N4G and beyond, to optimize the catalytic potential of donor resources.